Denise’s Cat

Not Shroedinger’s cat

She was treated much better than that.

Denise saw a mouse in her home.

Did she run screaming?

Nope, went to a shelter and got a cat.

Now, she told that cat

No hugs, cuddles or petting

You have one job.

I expect you to do it well.

Catch those mice

Running around this house.

Cats will not obey

Any command that doesn’t suit them.

But that cat

Was one damn happy cat. 

She had a job she liked.

Faithfully moused,

playing with them to her heart’s content.

Denise didn’t mind as long as the mouse

Was dead in the end.

Even if, 

Occasionally,

she had to hit them dead with a hammer.

Denise moved from the city.

There were no more mice.

The cat was old,

Loved sleeping in the sun.

When death came

She wasn’t cuddled or fussed over or pet.

Without pity

She was taken for that shot of death.

As she drifted away

She dreamt of chasing mice

And her friend 

with a hammer.

July 2021